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TFF MAGAZINE JANUARY WITH NUR GER ON HER SUCCESS STORY: Nur Ger, an entrepreneur at heart, is a leading example of participative management with her founding company, SUTEKS Group. We talked about her success story not only as the SUTEKS Group Chairwomen, but also as a gender equality advocate, a women entrepreneur and a leader. Nur Ger, distinguishes herself with her active civil society activities on gender equality along with her industrialist identity. Ger, who has served as the President of the Gender Equality Working Group of TÜSİAD, also a member of TURKONFED Board of Directors, has been appointed as the Business Spokesperson of Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) between 2016-2018. Principle of equality and engagement being at the core of her management NURphilosophy, she is leading the industry with the human-focused business model. You are the Chairwomen of the Board of Directors of SUTEKS Group. In 2016,7730 you have been appointed as Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Business World Spokesperson. You are also a founding member of many other associations. First of all, can we know more about you in person? I was born in Istanbul, and I studied at Galatasaray High-School where I also spent my senior year in the United States as an exchange student. I have a BA Degree from Boğaziçi University Department of Business Administration and an M.A. Degree in International Relations and Economy from the same university. I am an entrepreneur by heart. I founded my first company Birlik Ticaret at my early 20‘s and then founded SUTEKS Group in 1986 where I still work as the CEO and the President (or the Coach of the Board). In parallel to my professional life, I have always been engaged in civil society activities specifically for gender equality. I joined Turkish Clothing Manufacturers' Association (TGSD) and served as the first woman President of the Board for the term 94'-96'. I played a critical role in the Customs Union Agreement between EU &Turkey. As a member of TUSIAD, and a founding member of various associations such as KA -DER, KAGIDER, and TESEV, I have served as the Chairwoman of TÜSİAD’s Gender Equality Working Group, and now I am a Board Member at TÜRKONFED. Due to my active involvement in women’s empowerment, I was appointed as the Business Advocate of United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) in between 2016-2018

GER becomes a victim of violence, the employee can notify the committee directly via the company’s Human Resources Department to request assistance. In this entirely confidential process, the victim can receive legal, psychological and financial support from the company through the committee. Further on, SUTEKS Group supports women entrepreneurs in several ways. The company’s management providesSUTEKS Group also holds the first prize in the category of \"Middle-scale mentorship, access to individual networksBusiness\" in \"gender mainstreaming in Working Life\" competition. You and financial support to womenhave also received the honorary award in the UN Women's EmpowermentPrinciples (WEPs) competition in 2013. How do you ensure gender equity in entrepreneurs who leave the company toyour business? And would you like to talk about the accoplishments you set up their businesses. SUTEKS Group also gives priority to firms that are run byhave done in this context? TFF MAGAZINE JANUARYSince its foundation, SUTEKS Group acts as a leading example of gender equality women entrepreneurs when all supplier 7741engagement not only for its employees but also with other groups within its sphere of candidates are otherwise equal.influence such as industry and trade unions, local communities, customers as well as Beyond serving as a leading good-casegovernment and society more broadly. example domestically, SUTEKS Group brings added value to major global brandsSUTEKS Group is the first medium-sized company in Turkey to join the Women’s and designers whom it supplies toEmpowerment Principles (WEPs) in 2012 and was awarded by the Turkish Ministry of because the company is conscious of theLabour and Social Security as a best practice in the category of ”Social Gender Equality potential gender equality impact. SUTEKSin Work Life” the subsequent year. In 2013, as the Founder and President of SUTEKS Group regularly informs its clients andGroup, I received an honor roll designation by the WEPs Leadership Group, and later I stakeholders about their efforts andwas appointed as the Business Advocate of WEPs in 2016. encourage them to be part of the change.At SUTEKS Group, we have a strict non-discriminative policy anddedication to supplying equal opportunities. We believe “beinghuman is the prerequisite to get the equal opportunities”.Therefore, there is no distinction between male and female employees. SUTEKS Group Behind such a successful andrespects the fundamental human rights of its employees, suppliers, and partners and skillful business is no doubt aensures that there are systems and mechanism in place for open communication and strong sense of leadership. Woulddialogue. you please explain us about your mentality of leadership and yourAt SUTEKS Group we strongly advocate that the role the enterprises can take in promot- management policy?ing the empowerment of women in the workplace, marketplace, and community at thecore business level within the value chain of the apparel industry is crucial. A unique, non- hierarchical, democraticThe textiles and clothing industry is labor intensive and impacts directly the quality oflife of employees and their immediate household members. Beyond ensuring safe and human centred managementworking conditions and equal pay for equal work, SUTEKS Group continuously investsin its employees through professional, vocational as well as non-formal educational structure created at SUTEKS Group allowstraining.Our Ethical Committee supports the fight against violence against women in the work- all decisions to be made equally by allplace while also specifying ethical norms and working principles. If an employee employees. There is a functioning profit sharing system which means the business is owned and run by employees. We believe, it is the responsibility of

employers to create an enablingTFF MAGAZINE JANUARYIn 2015, SUTEKS Group signed a What do you do to continuously to environment for employees to reach their partnership agreement with UN Global remain at the top of the list for full potential and compete at global Compact, the world’s largest corporate your brand? Which countries do levels. This is only possible by providing sustainability initiative, to advocate for you mainly export to and with equal opportunities and treatment for all equality between women and men. With which institutions do you establish female and male employees. this partnership, I have re-affirmed strategic cooperation with? At SUTEKS Group, our employees work as SUTEKS Group’s and its subsidiary brand a team. We make all strategic decisions BRAEZ’s commitment to advance WEPs. SUTEKS Group, engaged in the production together in which I support the team as a of high-end fashion brands exports “coach”. Since 2015, BRAEZ encourages worldwide primarily to European market along with implementation of WEPs, and donates a US and Australian markets.SUTEKS Group At SUTEKS Group we pursue a proportion of its proceeds from the sale of offers flexible quantities, rare and highly human-oriented business model.Respect BRAEZ collection to support the WEPs demanded fashionable fabric choices, an for human rights, environmental efforts. expert team of product development and sustainability and gender equality is at manufacturing conducts all of in-house the core of our all business operations. In In 2017, we have supported the filming of production supervised by our own addition to above, creativity, teamwork, the documentary “You can do it“ production team. professionalism, reliability and explaining the paradox surrounding the transparency are among our core values. problems women face in our country. The In 2012, SUTEKS Group joined forces with documentary puts the spotlight on nine an international brand BRAEZ and At SUTEKS Group, we understand that a women who have succeeded in changing entered into the retail industry. BRAEZ, strong commitment to human rights from their lives and environments. renowned around the world for comfort senior leaders is a pre-requisite for My personal and corporate efforts and elegance has stores in Amsterdam, embedding human rights into a supporting gender equality are Berlin, Ibiza, Mallorca and Göcek, and company’s operations and activities. continuous will always be ongoing. more than 250 sales representatives. Within SUTEKS Group, we have an However, although effective, it is obvious “Employee Management Committee”, that these efforts are not sufficient to SUTEKS Group positions its cause a structural shift. It is the manufacturing, service and overall brand7752 “Quality Management Systems integration of the gender perspective into in world standards. Continuous every step of the policy processes – replenishment, following the necessities Committee” and an “Ethics Counsel” in design, implementation, monitoring, and of the time regarding management system which any human rights related issues evaluation - with a view of promoting and manufacturing technologyplays a and matters can be raised directly. equality between women and men we fundamental role. should aim for. Women's empowerment and their We place social employability in Turkey's economy There had been various very beneficial sustainability based is quite important. How do you reforms in the past, promoting women’s on labor and interpret the incentives within this empowerment such as tax reductions for human rights at the context? Are there any specific women employees and tax incentives for centre of core business contributions you offer for such women businesses. However, these operations, strategies works? reforms are not sufficient for a radical and corporate policies. Along with my professional life, I have transformation. We should aim for the always been engaged in civil society development of inclusive and coherent. We understand the cultural, social and activities specifically for gender equality economic complexities of Turkish primarily being KAGİDER, TURKONFED, enterprises, especially family-owned TÜSİAD, UN Global Compact, and WEPs. SMEs as well as micro-enterprises and are As a young women entrepreneur, I have committed to voluntarily inviting our faced various difficulties when founding business partners to join our efforts as we SUTEKS Group. Using my experience, now continue in our sustainability journey. I am supporting women entrepreneurs Our ultimate aim is to ensure that our and preparing the ground for their suppliers and partners also uphold success stories. universal principles, but rather than forcing this adoption upon them, we seek Working as a strong advocate of gender to create a channel for mutual experience equality, I have been representing not sharing and capacity development. only SUTEKS Group but also our country in various national and international platforms regarding gender equality.

We seek to manage opportunities toincrease our positive impacts and manageassociated risks toreduce our negativeimpacts working together with ourpartners across our value chain.Our employees are involved in everyaspect of our relations with stakeholders,ranging from customers to suppliers. Thisinclusive governance structure has beenintegrated across our company and isrepresented in our various committeesand working groups.We are aware and conscious of challengesin the ready-made garment industry andseek to play an active role in advancinguniversal principles.Our related corporate strategies, policies 7763TFF MAGAZINE JANUARYand activities are led by a dedicatedCorporate Sustainability and SocialCompliance Committee that works veryclosely with the both the EmployeeManagement Committee and theEnvironment Working Group.Investments in R & D and innovation are among the important values that bring companies to the future.What do you actualize in this regard? Do you have specific products that you offered to the sector?At SUTEKS Group, production in world standards is an essential part of our business. We believe technological innovation is a keydriver of growth in the traditional textile and garment production value chain, advancing many manufacturing processes.Annually, SUTEKS Group spends minimum 5% of its total budget to R&D and innovation technologies specifically spent on fabricinnovate accordingly. We follow the textiles and fashion industry innovations closely and adapt our manufacturing.Every year, on average 300 new fabrics are createdthrough the development of finishing techniques of fiber, thread and braid.Piece-dying is a special and genuine manufacturing technique that is used exceptionally in the textile industry across the globe.Our piece dyed fabrics are unique and delicate by its nature. This challenging technique is used broadly and with great care atSUTEKS Group even for low weightfabrics and 100% silk.Moreover, every cloth we make is unique with its needlework technique and special accessories.SUTEKS Group team also continuously tests different variations of bonded fabrics and offers new products to the market.The design team is a must to create design ecosystem that appreciates Evert BRAEZ product is unique andcreative and quality works. Could differences, respects diversity and designed with special care. They reflectyou give me a brief description of promotes authenticity. BRAEZ’s comfortable and elegantyour design team? To what direction character well. BRAEZ’s timeless productsdo you think your design team's line At SUTEKS Group, our brand BRAEZ has appealing to all age groups are formedleans to? What do you specifically an international design team composed of from lightweight and fluid fabrics with thecare about in your creations? Dutch and Turkish designers. The finest threads. They almost compose a collections are developed collaboratively second skin for modern and urbanAt SUTEKS Group, we possess a global and final touch is made in Turkey at people. BRAEZ collections stand out in SUTEKS Group. the fashion world with its affordablevision in every step of our work. This is luxury high fabric clothing. I would like to quote from BRAEZ Creativevalid for our design and creative team as Director and Partner Rene van Hoffel “I love what I do, I like the speed of fashion,well. A designer must have a full creating unique and distinct products, everyday.”command of the textile industry andmanufacturing process, above its creativeand innovative vision. Skilled labor is verycrucial and it must be supported by afavourable

What are the key characteristic of For strengthening Turkey’s sectorel how we dress; hence the clothing an employee who is of vital position and to establish sustain- industry. importance in the future of the able stance in the international textile industry? arena what kind of projects need to Moreover, the global phenomenaclimate The textiles and clothing industry remains be actualized? change is also affecting the clothing among the most labour - intensive industry. We can’t deny the fact that industries, despite advancements in Textiles and clothing are among the most temperature changes and weather events technology and workplace practices. This important sectors of the Turkish economy alter the way we dress up. More and more, sector is characterized by rapid and foreign trade. The Turkish fabric across the world people start to spend market-driven changes and there is a industry has competitive advantages in time indoors. This creates a need to trend towards faster and more flexible international markets,particularly in produce more weather-independent and production all over the world. terms of its technology, extensive product adaptive clothes. range and the quality, design First of all, sectoral education is crucial in andcreativity of its products. the textile industry. Moreover, employees must be innovative, proactive, resilient, However, lately, the textile industry has Consumerism and consumption play a dynamic, adaptive to rapid changes, able faced challenges due to political and huge role on what fashion is today. to multitask, successful team-player, economical instability, similar to other Consumerism is still a global dominant proficient in English and preferably in one industries. trend and the demand for clothing is other foreign language. Having an entrepreneurial spirit is also an added expected to rise each year. value for a textile sector employee. There is an urgent need to strengthen our7774TFF MAGAZINE JANUARY national brand “Made in Turkey” in order On the other hand, there is a growing to facilitate lasting international consumer interest in the environmental relationships. Improving the brand and ethical aspects of the fashion “Turkey” is possible only by adapting a industry. Through this “slow-fashion” global vision, that is open to diversity, brands started to emerge with the goal of innovative, adaptive, resilient and producing ethical, long-lasting clothing as collaborative. an alternative to fast fashion. The Turkish textile industry has a well-developed structure. It has improved significantly in recent years, since the Turkish clothing and home textile industries have had a significant role in the world’s clothing andhome textile markets in the last two decades. There is a great potential in various Turkish retail brands in becoming more competitive and performing as a top world brand. However, first economical stability must be assured, a key prerequisite for further economic success. The scope of Turquality, brand support programme can be broadened to facilitate and support the success of more Turkish brands on international arena. Which trends will affect the ready-to-wear sector in near future? What factors do you think will stand out the most? Clothing is among the fundamental needs of a human being together with food, water, shelter. Therefore, our lifestyle changes directly and immediately affect

TFF MAGAZINE JANUARY7758Another significant trend is the increase of women in the workforce and the rise of smart casual style for working women. Finally, we expect that quality and service will take precedence over the actual product itself especially via online marketing channels.

TFF MAGAZINE JANUARYEmre ON HIS LATEST COLLECTION \"AYSEL\"7796 In his Spring / Summer Collection of 2018, Emre Erdemoğlu presented fashion lovers the 15 songs of Aysel Gürel by painting each seperately on his collections. Reflecting the legendary songs of Aysel Gürel in the collection, the designer crammed in all the feelings he have had in the last 10 years in this fabulous collection. The famous designer, a fan of Aysel Gürel, underlines the need to have a unique style with the promise of \"follow the fashion, but not be enslaved by\" when interpreting today's style.

You are one of the most During my years as a student at Dokuz Eylül University, I started working on the formation of my brand. Isuccessful male fashion was awarded the \"Most Creative Collection\" prize after the fashion show I did in Italy as a 3rd year in collegedesigner in Turkey. You and I started to create collections for men. As soon as I graduated, I became a consultant for the brands inhave signed many jobs private sector. In this process, I started to build my own brand and make production and introduce myboth in Turkey and abroad. collection on international platforms. The consulting I received from abroad in the process of branding led toWhat is Emre Erdemoğlu's my brand's growth in the shortest period of time. We recently presented our 2016 A / W \"Pünhan\"key to success? collection at Berlin Fashion Week.It was no doubt a very pleasant and proud moment for us. How would you describe men's fashion world and men's styles in Turkey?I think people should be in touch with the souls of the clothes they prefer to wear. It must have a trace of his identity. This can sometimes be acolor, a texture, and an accessory. You have to carry donnees to unlock your personality. I'm in favor of making one thing which is one shouldmodernize his original style instead of looking like someone else’s imitation. In choosing costumes, your skin color, your anatomy, your gleam isvery important. I think you should not wear anything that randomly suit or does not suit to your body.I think people should be in touch with the souls of the clothes they prefer to wear. TFF MAGAZINE JANUARY 7870

TFF MAGAZINE JANUARY8718What kind of process did you go through in preparing 2018 Spring-Summer collection? What is the collection's theme? Emre Erdemoğlu painted 15 songs of Aysel Gürel in his Spring / Summer 2018 collection. All the details in the song, and my most important words I dear hold and true in songs, were used throughout the collection with embroidery, printing, processing and weaving techniques. Because I am a big fan of Aysel Gürel, I also used the songs of Aysel in the inner details of the whole collection with print techniques. Hand made lace coats,print patterned kimonos, dressing gown forms, oversized embroidered coats, bead processing, 70s-style square bone glasses, red long hand knitted fringed belts and fabulous patent leather shoes are among the looks you will see most often in fashion parades. Asphalt black, red, aspirin white, Fatma Girik blue will form this season's rich color chart for me. It is a high spiritual collection to me. All the emotions I have accumulated in the last 10 years are in this collection.

How do you define the How do your collections According to Emremen who prefer Emre come up and what are Erdemoğlu, how do youErdemoğlu's designs? your sources of think rapidly-developing inspiration? digital trends will affectInnovative, dynamic, elegant... You the future of fashionhave to be carrying these three Target audience is always a and design world?features before everything else. I priority for me to the extent that Iappeal to the wardrobe of men create a link between these In fact, both has pros and cons...who are open to newness, can characters in the story and my The entire fashion world is formedinspire with their styles and can target audience. After within your palms. As you followclothe their soul with the spirit of successfully establishing this these, you can easily determinethe product they wear. I love such balance, I prepare my \"Concept the look that overlaps with yourcharacters with the current Board\". Before setting the theme own light.wardrobe I juts told and those for the season I've created, Iwho have a story to tell. create my key words. I do a quick The downside is that being the check on the meanings from the imitation of others ...Those who historical aspect to the present have imitated were flunked in day. And then, I search the impact time. This is because you are of my key word to art, sport and supposed to built your own style. life. I determine the main and Follow the fashion, but do not be intermediate colors to include enslaved by... them into the story. If the identity that emerges after I have done 7892TFF MAGAZINE JANUARY enough research on my concept, create a smile on my face and excites me, it shows that I am on the right track ...That's why all my collections speak for themselves ... They have things to say and have a story to tell...It's quite like a story ...

TFF MAGAZINE8830 What are the key pieces that a man should absolutely have in his wardrobe?JANUARY I believe that well-sewn black tuxedos, white tuxedo shirts, leather jackets that are suitable for your body, washed blue jeans pants, are the indispensables of a wardrobe. It saves the day, which is timeless... fTiysaohsfouehrriemopnnaetilwdrmeowsr.iltdhin

TFF MAGAZINEHow can we apply the designs we 881 4see on the podiums into our life? JANUARYThe meronymy is very importantbetween. When you bring togetherdifferent pieces, miraculous looks comeout. You perfectly integrate a piece,what we call an avant-garde with such aperfrect combination, then you will seethe look softens, disappears and gives ataste... In fact, it is necessary to give thisflavor at the right consistency. If you setyour dose well while you stayling, youencourage people to wear them withoutscaring them.

Hakan Akkaya, who has been Hakan Akkaya's inspirational attitude, attaching great behind being so successful in the world of fashion for 17 elements are hidden in the importance to freedom with since you got under the years and carries the achieve- slightest detail in life such as a the mixture of different models way to stand on your own ments of its brand, is crown- building he sees while wander- he created, and he included legs in the fashion world? ing his accelarated success in ing, people, a movie he black and white colors in his For as long as i've known the fashion world from day to watches, a book he reads, even collection. myself, I craved for this job day. Akkaya, catching a just a word he hears. Akkaya's and I have been in this profes- remarkable look with plain, latest collection, which defines Hakan Akkaya is a name sion for about 17 years. Before elegant and simple lines, also fashion as a form of self-ex- that has been around for a creating my brand, I worked as holds the title of being the first pression, is inspired by long time in fashion a design-depatment manager Turkish fashion designer who \"Existentialism\". With this world. Can we hear more for the leading brands in the entered the official calendar of collection, Akkaya has tried to on your introduction story industry. Basically, being right New York Fashion Week. reflect this existentialist to fashion world from at that spot where I am today you. What is the reason852TFF MAGAZINE JANUARY INTERPRETER OF CHIC, ELEGANT AND STUNNING DESIGNS:

8836 JANUARYcould be directly related to my contribution to me in this successful style that will make in life, I decorate my designshardpen. If you want to sense. my designs look attractive on with them and work withsucceed in this profession, I How do you define your the wearer, without chaotic them.A building I see when I'mthink you have to go through style as a successful pieces, with just simple lines. on the street, a person I see, aall the stages in the field. I designer? What inspires Hakan movie I watch, a book I read,think a designer should master I like to create stylish, chic and Akkaya when he actualiz- sometimes even a Word I hear.all processes from fabric to expensive desings that will es his collections? I can be inspired from every-production and even to draw attention for my custom- Every single detail in life is a thing I am surrounded by.marketing. The companies I er when they dress up. It is source of inspiration for me.work with have made a great important for me to create a Inspired by the slightest detail

TFF MAGAZINE JANUARYTextiles, colors and lines... Selection of podium, How do you determine your background music, color and fabric choices? accessories and models ... When preparing my collec- How do you organize such tions, I first travel to different parts of the world with inspira- elements that will reflect tional ideas that are the the core of your collection? inspirer and story of my collection and acquiring The decoration, music and accessories that will meet model selections are very those ideas with different important to me as well of textures.I then make the selections of fabrics that I will accessories, and clothes that I use in the production phase. In designed in my rituals. I deeply my own head I blend those fabrics, and accessories, and probe on each one of them then I imagine whatever individually, imagining it, and colors, lines and visuals I want to create. Finally, I put them on editing it with great care and paper, and I pass through the diligence. When presenting my production stage. collection, everything must be874 in unity and harmony. Every- thing should reflect the soul of my collection, from location to decoration, from models carrying my collections to hair-makeup styles of models. In every fashion parade of mine, we work our damndest to transform my collection into a visual feast in every sense with a team, working day and night. We attach great impor- tance to detail..

Existentialism\", the value given to human beings, was the starting 8858TFF MAGAZINE JANUARYpoint of my collection. According to existentialism, people areimportant and they have to be the determiners of their own life,experiences and existence.The existing man Your collections wereshould bring exhibited in New Yorkhimself into Fashion Week and as aexistance. Turkish fashion designer who entered the official calendar of NY Fashion Week, what would you like to say about this topic? After my admission into New York Fashion Week Calender, I actualized my first Fashion parade with the presentation of my winter collection in February 2017. Despite being the first parade in New York, I suprisingly received a great deal of attention. It was an unusual collection that I had never done before. I had made ready-made clothing before, but for the first time I had differently interpreted it. I tried

TFF MAGAZINE JANUARY To me, fashion is a way of expressing myself. to play according to the rules of the game and I combined Hakan Akkaya's line with the style that should be in New York and a very much apperici- ated collection came out. Then I started to work for my 2018 Summer collection I will be presenting on the fashion week to be held in September. For my new collection, I was quite excited in the face of interests coming from buyers and department stores abroad. After getting affirmative feedbacks, I participated in the organization of the fashion896 week held in September and organized twice a year. It was pleasant and exciting to present my collections in New York, to take part in the same fashion week with the world's fashion giants. What is fashion according to Hakan Akkaya? To me, fashion is a way of expressing myself. On the designer side of the fashion, It is to announce yourself to the entire world in forms that are given to fabrics, without using your words. How do fashion trends affect human life? Fashion trends do not only direct our choices of clothing but govern our lives. We are influenced by trends, even in our decorations, in technologi- cal products, even in our eating and drinking preferenc- es and undeniably, we are intertwined with fashion in a sense.

Every single detail in life is a source of inspiration for me. 8970TFF MAGAZINE JANUARY

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JPA fashion and the cultural richness WpmI lriuhestspeeinacnrIfitonsortgab5ar-at6ccokmglloeroncuttihnosdn. , and waistcoats have been modified of our country. for the collection in a range of fabricsTFF MAGAZINE JANUARY spanning from cotton to linen, You do not only reflect ethnically organza to jacquard and viscose detailed designs in your podium, finalized by hand sewn needlework. but at the same time you try to The color palette this season has a offer a cultural show in its large emphasis on unbleached entirety. What elements fabrics and is predominantly white, constituted the main theme of ivory and black. your last collection? What kind of Numan Ataker woman we are The region is known for its beautiful going to see in your SS 2018 seacoasts, mountainous terrain and collection? picturesque valleys of thick, green foliage. It boasts high, fresh aired rich For millions of years, The Black Sea plateaus and is home for industrious Region of Turkey has been a and innovative people who live by a geo-ecological zone of deep blue rewarding but stubborn, oftentimes waters and green fertile lands and is skittish and rough sea, with fruitful now the inspiration for the vibrant orchards and groves. Hardworking, Spring/Summer 2018 collection. The plain living farmers toil hard but live line carries the cultural gusto and healthy and long lives in the bosom stamina of the wicker quilt art of of Mother Nature. The Black Sea has fishermen, fishing and sailing ropes, become a bearer of what we call and authentic wrung bracelets of the “slow fashion”, which means being silversmiths of Trebizond, the purposeful and realizing that fewer is vernacular knitting and weaving9930 artisanship and ethnic Kazaz silver better and healthier both for knot art. This season’s collection is humankind and our planet. The world based on the rich cultural heritage is at the helm of an unreasonable and and folklore of this region. Authentic fatal grip of what is becoming a faster and traditional assets are and faster consuming and vicious incorporated into our signature cycle. In line with “slow fashion” gowns and separates daily and principles, all of the materials and formal wear. Inspired by native and dyes have been chosen to be as traditional garments of the people, environmentally and ecologically “cepken” (bolero jackets), shalwar friendly as possible with a focus on (baggy pants), peshtemal (loincloth), human health and wellness not only

with the end products and wearer in 9914TFF MAGAZINE JANUARYour mind, but throughout theproduction process as well. I’d bemore than happy to see other partsof the world also join “slow fashion”for a better tomorrow.You have become one of theTurkish Fashioners who showedup in the main fashion parade ofNew York Fashion Week. What doyou think is foreseeable for yourfuture brand's agenda?In future, we are planning to open 10more shops in different countriesafter settling down on MadisonAvenue. We also plan to expand ourgowns with a bag collection for nextseasons. We try to maintain oursignature style combined withmodern silhouettes and are lookingforward to next season as each isvery different and unique. Also we areworking on John Paul Ataker Onlineshop. Throught this website, we willreach our worldwide customers moreeasily. We suggest our customers tofollow us very closely because wehave new surprises for New Year.Podium, background musics,accessories and modelselection... How do you designatesuch elements that will trulyreflect the soul of yourcollection?

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When I start preparing a collection,I listen tobackground music for 5-6 months. During thisprocess, I select the music that suits the concept ofthe collection the best. Music plays a big role intrying to convey the idea of a collection and is also abeautiful way to give runway show the perfectmood. Meanwhile, the collection start to shaping up,accessory ideas are shaping as well. In last twocollection we use our fabric and accessories tocreate unique shoes for our runway show. In the end,all these beautiful elements are coming together onrunway show and creates John Paul Ataker line. 93TFF MAGAZINE JANUARY

A DESIGNER CREATING DIFFERENCE IN DETAIL 3994TTFFFFMMAAGGAAZZIINNEE JJAANNUUAARRYY

We have talked about Selma Ç lek's brand w th Selma TTFFFFMMAAGAZINE JAANNUUAARRYY Ç lek, who has a successful mpetus n fash on world at a very young age through her des gns that are elegant enough to make a d fference n deta ls. Pos t on ng SELMACILEK brand as a ready-to-wear garment company that appeals to all women, who want to be styl sh w th no exeggerat on, self-rel ant and form-confident, who want to look s mple and str k ng, between A, A+ plus, 18 to 45 years old, the goal of the successful des gner, s to open up to the world.. 995Selma Ç lek s a very young and successful des gner.Can we know more about you as a successful name pursu ng her dreams?I started des gn ng at the 3rd year of the Un vers ty. When I was dressed up totally the same w th my bestfr end on a New Year's Eve, for a moment I found myself des gn ng my own dress. Then I found a ta lor and Isewn t. I rece ved an ncred ble recogn t on and even a lot of orders afterwards. Then, I recogn zed one th ngthat I was cont nuously draw ng dur ng my classess. After that day, I went to Italy at every opportun ty to takeshort courses and prepared myself for my future. As soon as I graduated, I stud ed des gn n M lan for do ngth s job profess onally. S nce then, I have been des ngn ng.

TTTFFFFFFMMMAAAGGGAAAZZZIIINNNEEE You have created a brand n totally a d fferent sector than your fam ly, by not follow ng the4916 traces of fam ly trad t on. How do you define SelmaJJJAAANNNUUUAAARRRYYY Ç lek brand? What s your brand's target aud ence? I am pos t on ng SELMACILEK Brand as a ready-to-wear garment company that appeals to female between 18-45 years, A, A+ customers who want to be s mply styl sh w th no exeggerat on, self-rel ant and confident to her shape, want to look s mple and str k ng. Where do you see Turkey about Fash on? Compar ng to recent years, Turkey s far more progressed and n a much better place n fash on. Turk sh fash on sts are now work ng the r damndest to announce the r names abroad and most of them are apper c ated very much. Mercedes-Benz Fash on Week s an mportant platform for Turk sh fash oners to promote the r creat ons both n Turkey and Abroad. We should try to ut l ze these poss b l t es as much as poss ble and try to ntroduce our own brand, Turk sh fash on to the world. Our goal s always ought to be to open to the world.

Selma Ç lek des gns have a 9978TTFFFFMMAAGGAAZZIINNEE JJAANNUUAARRYYd st nct on that makes ad fference n deta ls. What nsp res you when you createyour des gns at th s po nt?I can get nsp red by almosteveryth ng when I create mydes gns. I can not spec fy and saythat there are part cular th ngsnsp re me at a part cular t me.Somet mes a des gn I see, a colorcomb nat on of an an mal I see nnature, even a fabr c alone areenough to nsp re me. I amnfluenced by d fferent th ngs nevery collect on and then I dec deto what to work on. After my firstcollect on came out, the restcomes n rap d success on.

TFF MAGAZINE JANUARYAre there any world stars“I can not spec fy and carry ng your des gns? The most recent s the say that there are part cular Oscar-w nn ng Amer can th ngs nsp re me at actress, Kate Hudson, who a part cular t me. dressed up my des gn. In the meant me, s nger N cole Scherz nger preferred my des ng at X Factor Prem er. Other than that, other names wear ng my des ngs were Ch ara Ferragn and Lersen Thompson. “Compar ng to recent years, Turkey s far more progressed and n a much better place n fash on98 ““